Dietary supplement for children

ABSTRACT

A dietary supplement is provided for children, consisting essentially of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), Passion Flow Extract, L-taurine, and vitamin B6.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of my application Ser. No. 07/421,016, filed on Oct. 13, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,980,168, and entitled "Dietary Supplement For Children".

This application is also related to my copending application Ser. No. 07/421,138, filed and on Oct. 13, 1989, and entitled "Dietary Supplement For Adults". The latter application discloses another dietary mixture of amino acids and vitamin B6, especially designed for adults.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention is concerned with a special blend of amino acids and vitamin B6 which has been designed to help a child's needs for a normally active lifestyle. The blend may be supplemented with other amino acids, vitamins, and/or minerals.

BACKGROUND ART

Dietary imbalance is known to cause physiological disorders in children. Among these disorders are hyperactivity, hyperkinesis, and learning disabilities. In 1988, there were approximately one million children taking Ritalin for hyperactivity. Ritalin is a potent drug that is available only by prescription. Of the five classes of controlled substances set out by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration based on potential abuse, Ritalin is listed in Schedule II along with morphine and opium. Obviously, in those cases where a dietary regimen can control or relieve the symptoms and Ritalin treatment can be discontinued or reduced, such a change is in the best interest of the child.

Members of the Academy of Orthomolecular Medicine and other prominent researchers have shown that hyperactivity and certain learning disabilities can be treated by orthomolecular therapy. Orthomolecular therapy is the treatment of a condition in a patient by varying the concentration of substances normally present in the human bodies. These substances, which are referred to as "the right molecules", are vitamins, minerals, trace elements, hormones, amino acids, and enzymes. Regulation of the concentration of these molecules in the body helps in the achievement and preservation of optimum health and the prevention and treatment of disease.

If the level of any of "the right molecules" in a child's system is low, it can produce a disturbed biochemical homeostasis, which, in turn, results in brain malfunctions. This, in turn, can cause a child to be hyperactive. Behavior symptoms of hyperactivity may be aggressive or passive. Among the aggressive symptoms are angry outbursts, restlessness, stealing, inability to concentrate, compulsive aggression, lying, etc. The passive symptoms include anxiousness, reasoning difficulties, shyness, insecurity, sleep problems, etc.

Various dietary supplements have been used in the past with children who have shown symptoms of hyperactivity. One of the best of these supplements is sold by NATROL, INC., Chatsworth, Calif. Six capsules of the product contain:

    ______________________________________                                                            USRDA*                                                      ______________________________________                                         Niacinamide     200 mg   1000%                                                 Calcium         200 mg   20%                                                   Vitamin D        100 I.U.                                                                               25%                                                   Vitamin B6      100 mg   5000%                                                 Magnesium       100 mg   25%                                                   Zinc             10 mg   66%                                                   GABA            500 mg                                                         L-Tryptophan    500 mg                                                         L-Taurine       500 mg                                                         Inositol        200 mg                                                         ______________________________________                                          *Percent U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance                                

The recommended dosage of this formulation for children between the ages of four and fifteen is four to six capsules per day.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

A dietary supplement is provided for children, consisting essentially of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid), L-tryptophan or Passion Flower Extract, L-taurine, and vitamin B6.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

I have discovered improved nutritional formulas. The formulations consists essentially of the following, parts by wt:

    ______________________________________                                         A.      GABA          from about 34 to about 40                                        L-Tryptophan  from about 34 to about 40                                        L-Taurine     from about 20 to about 25                                        Vitamin B6    from about 2 to about 3,                                 or                                                                             B.      GABA          from about 40 to about 45                                        Passion Flower                                                                               from about 25 to about 30                                        Extract                                                                        L-Taurine     from about 25 to about 30                                        Vitamin B6    from about 2.5 to about 3.                               ______________________________________                                    

Other amino acids, vitamins, and minerals may be included. For instance, glycine, vitamin C (as Ester C**), calcium, and magnesium are valuable additons. (** ESTER C is a registered trademark of Inter-Cal Corp.) This form is superior to regular ascorbic acid and delivers four times the normal amount to the system.

The new compositions are preferably put into capsules, along with other "right molecules", so that six capsules, which would be the recommended daily dose for a child at least four years of age or an adult, will contain the following:

    ______________________________________                                                               USRDA*                                                   ______________________________________                                         A.     GABA         720 to 880 mg                                                     L-Tryptophan 720 to 880 mg                                                     Glycine      450 to 550 mg                                                     L-Taurine    450 to 550 mg                                                     Vitamin C    55 to 65 mg 90 to 110%                                            (as Ester C)                                                                   Calcium      90 to 110 mg                                                                               approx. 10%                                           Vitamin B6   45 to 55 mg 2250 to 2750%                                         Magnesium    45 to 55 mg 10 to 14%,                                     or                                                                             B.     GABA         720 to 880 mg                                                     Passion Flower                                                                              450 to 550 mg                                                     Extract                                                                        Glycine      720 to 880 mg                                                     L-Taurine    450 to 550 mg                                                     Vitamin C    55 to 65 mg 90 to 110%                                            (as Ester C)                                                                   Calcium      90 to 110 mg                                                                               approx. 10%                                           Vitamin B6   45 to 55 mg 2250 to 2750%                                         Magnesium    45 to 55 mg 10 to 14%.                                     ______________________________________                                         *Percent U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance for adults and children four or       more years of age.                                                       

Preferred formulations contain the following in six capsules:

    ______________________________________                                                             USRDA*                                                     ______________________________________                                         A.      GABA          800 mg                                                           L-Tryptophan  800 mg                                                           Glycine       500 mg                                                           L-Taurine     500 mg                                                           Vitamin C      60 mg   100%                                                    (as Ester C)                                                                   Calcium       100 mg   10%                                                     Vitamin B6     50 mg  2500%                                                    Magnesium      50 mg  12.5%,                                           or                                                                             B.      GABA          800 mg                                                           Passion Flower                                                                               500 mg                                                           Extract                                                                        Glycine       800 mg                                                           L-Taurine     500 mg                                                           Vitamin C      60 mg   100%                                                    (as Ester C)                                                                   Calcium       100 mg   10%                                                     Vitamin B6     50 mg  2500%                                                    Magnesium      50 mg  12.5%.                                           ______________________________________                                    

GABA is gamma-aminobutyric acid. According to a 1982 publication in Life Extension by Sandy Shaw and Durk Pearson, it mimics the tranquilizing effect of Valium and Librium but without the sedation associated with those drugs. A report in the Aug. 14, 1982 issue of Lancet stated that GABA is a major inhibitory transmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. GABA works well with other amino acids in hyperactive children.

L-tryptophan is necessary to maintain protein balance in the body. It is needed in the formation of serotonin, a neurotransmitter. Low tryptophan and serotonin have been noted in many hyperactive children.

Passion Flower Extract is a dry hydroalcoholic extract from Passiflora incarnata concentrated six times. The extract is standardized to contain 3.5% naturally occurring isovitexin. It is very effective as a sedative with a pleasant taste and surprisingly gentle. Both dried leaves and stemshave been used to induce sleep, and it has been used in Italy to calm hyperactive children.

Normal development and health of the central nervous system requires taurine. It has been shown to be important in the control of hyperactive or hyperkinetic movements.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is the most important vitamin for amino acid metabolism because it is the cofactor for the enzymes called transaminase,which metabolize amino acids.

Glycine seems to be an important factor in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Some manic-depressive patients have shown remission when treated with glycine even though they had previously been unresponsive to drugs.

In the treatment of hyperactivity, vitamin C is important. A study in 1987 showed that Ester C is neutral and is four times more bioavailable than ordinary vitamin C. Most children using Ester C have shown excellent response.

Magnesium deficiency is common in children with hyperactivity. Magnesium has been used as a nervous system sedative, and sometimes has an immediatecalming effect when added to the diet of a hyperactive person. Magnesium oxide is a preferred form.

Children who have low calcium levels may be irritable, angry, and inattentive as well as suffer from disturbed sleep. Upon administration ofcalcium, edginess disappears.

The compositions and capsules of this invention may include pharmaceutically acceptable inerts, such as calcium carbonate and magnesium stearate.

When hyperactive children who are four years or older are provided a dietary supplement of approximately six capsules a day containing the above formulation in the indicated levels, they show at least a 40 to 50% improvement in behavior and learning ability. 

I claim:
 1. A dietary composition consisting essentially of the following parts, by weight:

    ______________________________________                                         GABA             from about 40 to about 45,                                    Passion Flower   from about 25 to about 30,                                    Extract                                                                        L-Taurine        from about 25 to about 30,                                    Vitamin B6       from about 2.5 to about
 3.                                    ______________________________________                                    


2. A dietary composition in capsule form such that six capsules contain:

    ______________________________________                                         GABA                720 to 880 mg,                                             Passion Flower      450 to 550 mg,                                             Extract                                                                        Glycine             720 to 880 mg,                                             L-Taurine           450 to 550 mg,                                             Vitamin C           55 to 65 mg                                                Calcium              90 to 110 mg                                              Vitamin B6          45 to 55 mg                                                Magnesium           45 to 55 mg                                                ______________________________________                                    


3. A dietary composition in capsule form such that six capsules contain:

    ______________________________________                                         GABA            800 mg                                                         Passion Flower  500 mg                                                         Extract                                                                        Glycine         800 mg                                                         L-Taurine       500 mg                                                         Vitamin C        60 mg                                                         Calcium         100 mg                                                         Vitamin B6       50 mg                                                         Magnesium        50 mg                                                         ______________________________________                                     